WordPress Multisite lets you manage multiple sites from one installation. For enterprises with regional sites, brand microsites, or multiple departments, governance becomes critical. This guide covers user roles, permissions, and brand control.

Multisite User Roles

Super Admin

Has access to everything: network settings, all sites, plugin and theme management. Limit this to IT administrators only.

Site Administrator

Manages one specific site. Can add users, create content, and configure site settings. Cannot install plugins or themes network-wide.

Custom Roles

Create custom roles for specific needs: regional marketing managers, content editors, SEO specialists. Use plugins like User Role Editor to define precise capabilities.

Permission Strategy

Principle of Least Privilege

Give users only the permissions they need. A content editor does not need access to settings. A regional manager does not need Super Admin access.

Role Documentation

Document what each role can and cannot do. Make this available to all users so they understand their boundaries.

Brand Control

Theme Restrictions

Control which themes sites can use. For brand consistency, you might allow only one approved theme with limited customization options.

Color and Typography Locks

Use theme customization to set brand colors and fonts at the network level. Prevent individual sites from changing these values.

Content Guidelines

Implement editorial guidelines: approved image sizes, required metadata, content templates. Use custom fields and validation to enforce these.

Plugin Management

Decide which plugins are: network-activated (required for all sites), available for site activation (optional), and prohibited (security or compatibility concerns).

Audit and Monitoring

Track user activity across the network. Monitor for: unauthorized changes, security violations, brand guideline breaches, and unusual behavior.

Conclusion

Good governance keeps your Multisite network organized, secure, and on-brand. Define clear roles, enforce permissions, and monitor compliance. Contact us for Multisite governance consulting.